Denmark 1-2 Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne climbed off the bench to give Belgium victory over Denmark with an assist and a goal in a thrilling encounter.
It’s a result which means the Red Devils are through to the last 16 but it leaves Denmark’s Euro 2020 hopes hanging by a thread. After the brave Danes dominated the opening half and led through a Yussuf Poulsen goal, Thorgan Hazard equalised early in the second period before De Bruyne won the game with a 25 yard beauty.
After their opening day defeat to Finland the Danes, who started the tournament as many people’s dark horses, came in to 1.88 to go out at the group stage. And Russia’s 1-0 win over Finland on Wednesday night left Denmark rock bottom of Group B. Now they must win their final game and hope other results go their way to keep their dreams alive.
Highlights of the game
The Telia Parken Stadium in Copehagen was awash with emotion following the worst day in Denmark’s recent history, last Saturday when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch, and then the great news of his recovery which followed during the week. And the popular midfield ace could probably hear the roar from his hospital bed close by when the Danes went ahead in the second minute. Jason Denayer gifted the ball to Pierre Emile Hojberg and he found Poulsen on the edge of the area and the striker did the rest, finishing with supreme calm, low into the bottom left corner.
Roared on by the home crowd the Danes were really up for this game and Thibaut Courtois did well to save with his feet from Joakim Maehle after the defender went on a surging run, and Daniel Wass almost doubled the lead with a header but Courtois saved again. Belgian wing back Thomas Meunier had to make a last ditch tackle to deny Mikkel Damsgaard after Poulsen had put the young striker in; and the 20 year old almost got his goal with a curling effort which flew inches wide. At the other end of the pitch Romelu Lukaku started the game as the favourite to win the Golden Boot at odds of 3.50, but in the first half Denmark centre back Simon Kjaer had him in his pocket.
Denmark totally dominated the opening 45 and they started the second period in the same mood, Thomas Delaney firing a shot from 25 yards just wide. But Roberto Martinez had made his move, bringing Kevin de Bruyne on at the break, and he set up the equaliser on 57 minutes. Lukaku burst down the right wing and pushed the ball inside to de Bruyne. The Manchester City man shaped to shoot, shifted the ball onto his right and slid the perfect ball across the six yard box to give Thorgan Hazard a tap-in.
Denmark still thought they could win and they pressed forward, Maehle testing Courtois with a low shot and then, on 70 minutes, De Bruyne took the game away. After a slick passing move, in the final third, the ball landed with the midfield maestro and he fired it first time, low to Kasper Schmeichel’s right and into the net.
The Danes kept battling to the end, and a Martin Braithwaite header clipped the bar but it was to be no fairytale ending for Denmark.
Key statistics
Belgium’s Euro 2020 results have gone to plan so far, but while the win over Russia was comfortable enough the Red Devils were given a real scare by Denmark tonight.
Poulsen’s goal, timed at 99 seconds, was the second fastest on record at the European Championships, behind only Dmitry Kirichenko’s 65 second strike for Russia against Greece at Euro 2004. Meanwhile, Belgium registered just one shot on target in the first half.
By the finish Denmark had five shots on target to Belgium’s four and will feel unlucky to leave with nothing.
Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer can be a proud man; he earned his 109th cap tonight, to move alongside his great friend Eriksen.
What’s next?
Following another impressive win for Italy against Switzerland on Wednesday night the Euro 2020 betting odds here at SBOTOP have seen the Azzurri rocket up to second place at odds of 5.95, behind favourites France who are at 4.50. Two more of the front-runners are in action over the next two days as England take on Scotland at Wembley on Friday, before Spain face Poland on Saturday. France, who looked like they had plenty more in the tank after their opening win against Germany, have their second Group F encounter, against Hungary, on Saturday afternoon.
Back in Group B, Belgium conclude their group matches with a game against Finland while Denmark face Russia in a clash they must win. Play like they did tonight and they will have no problem against the Russians.
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